For this class assignment we were tasked with creating an editorial illustration for an existing article. I chose an article from The Guardian about the author’s experience in Chongqing, China. To help the reader relate to the author, I utilized a vortex composition with radial perspective, so the viewer feels as if they are being immersed within the city. Meanwhile, the chaotic arrangement of architecture referenced from photos, expresses the author’s description of the city as “a cross between the movie Inception and a game of snakes and ladders” (Wainwright). The vibrant colors, inspired by Chongqing’s famous neon lights, further add to the energy of the composition. For the painting style of this piece, I was inspired by the colorful urban landscapes of artists James Gilleard and Kat Tsai.

Article: A Sprawling Megacity of Multi-Level Madness - why Chongqing in China is my Wonder of the World | The Guardian by Oliver Wainwright